Winter Roses..........is what I call this coat

I did it! I finally finished hand embroidering the red ladies coat I showed to you 

on a post on May 11, 2016.

I had found this pretty coat hanging in a shop 

window of a thrift store...and I knew immediately

it should be embroidered......I could already see it

in roses!   I purchased it

and started working off and on here and there........spending quite a few days/nights  that have 

turned into weeks .....hand embroidering 

Now it is finished and elegant looking with the 

embroidered lapels

The embroidery also goes all the way around the collar

and can be seen even when one is walking behind you!

It was pretty before........

now it has a new fresh dressy look,

that I think is lovely! 

It is considered a vintage coat since it is from the 1980s.

I am placing it for sale in my shop.

So I am hoping someone will love it enough

to wear it...........everywhere!

Now.........I am off to find my needle for another

project!  Tell me what you are 

working on! I would love to hear!

Cement Garden Art

I look forward to sunny days with no chance of rain........

just so that I can work with my latest fascination......

cement!

Now that almost every garden space here on the grounds is full of my tiny

creations.......I have finally started selling them out of my vintage shop .....Yesteryear

and I have also added them to my Etsy shop for sale! 

I have made spring and summer flower stones 

and have added a painted ladybug rock in the set.

I have just finished a set for fall.......

perfect for the autumn garden!

They are all about 1inch thick so they stand out in any space......

A cute set all together! 

The acorn and the pumpkin are both actually round instead of lying flat like the 

other stones.  They have all been painted and sealed to last in the garden for months!

I think painted rock bugs also add some whimsy and color to 

planting pots and spaces.

Even in the hottest and most plain of garden spaces......

these little cement pieces add color and interest!

If you are interested in the cement stones,

you can find them in my Etsy online shop by clicking 

onto this link

Yesteryear Embroideries

Welcome summer onto your porch

with containers of painted pinecone zinnia, 

painted in vibrant and soft colors! 

Place them among your flowering plants

and in any pretty container or pot you have!

pick up pine cones from your yard, if you have the trees, or purchase a bag from an arts and crafts store.  If you use the ones from your yard, bake them on a cookie sheet with  aluminum foil for 30 to 40 minutes at 250 degrees to kill bugs and to get the sap out.

Then let your imagination and paint brush go wild!

I have seen these on different internet sites used indoors, 

but I wanted to brighten up my porch and flower sections!

They look so cheerful and inviting.......don't you think?

Tell me..........what do you decorate your porch or spaces with?

I would love to hear!

Christmas time and Christmas gifts.......at this time of year

may very well not be the topic you want to think about.

For me......."what should I give and  do for Christmas?"

seems to always enter my thoughts at this time.

Gift giving always causes me the most stress.......from the staying on budget to trying to make everyone happy.

I find it harder and harder each year to find that perfect "something" 

for those special people. 

Do you feel this way? 

I love to give handmade gifts........something unique........something from my heart

However.....not everyone likes handmade gifts,.....so  I am selective on 

who I do make them for.

I have begun the process of making some handmade gifts.........hoping to get them all

finished by the end of November,.....allowing me to focus on the

the decorating and to enjoy the season.......

without the worry of getting Christmas gifts at the last moment. 

Of course my passion is embroidery.......with a little crochet.......

so from crocheted dishcloths with embroidered dishtowels,

to embroidered pillowcases..........

this is what I am planning on making and giving this year.

I have several sets of stamped pillowcases

all with lovely designs........most of them vintage,

never used or embroidered.......

waiting...........

to be embroidered

and embellished,

and selected for that "someone special" 

on my list.

So tell me, how about you?

Do you make handmade gifts?  

What do you like to make?

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I would love to hear!